The Arhat and Therevada - Therevada and Mahayana Teachings

Question 1

AO3: What is an Arhat?

Answer 1

In Therevada Buddhism it is one who has aspired to nibanna and will enter parinibbana upon his death.

Question 2

AO3: What is the Bodhisattva path/

Answer 2

Open to all, not just advances. Everyone has Buddha nature in them.

Question 3

AO3: What may a Bodhisattva claim to be more of than an Arhat?

Answer 3

More compassionate and superior due to the length and complexity of the path taken.

Question 4

AO3: Why would an Arhat claim to be equally passionate?

Answer 4

They are equal yet more introverted and concerned with spiritual development over other beings.

Question 5

AO3: What shows Arahatship to not be impossible?

Answer 5

Multiple people attesting to it in the Pali Canon and the five ascetics who became enlightened after hearing the Buddha’s words.

Question 6

AO3: Why may Arahatship not be seen as crucial to Buddhism?

Answer 6

As it is not a direct aim for many - takes many lifetimes. ie. Stream-enterer, once-returner, non-returner and arhat.

Question 7

AO3: How would Therevada Buddhists disprove the Bodhisattva path as being superior?

Answer 7

It is not mentioned as such in the Pali Canon.

Question 8

AO3: How would Mahayana Buddhists show the Bodhisattva path to be more important?

Answer 8

As it is the second turning of the Dhamma Wheel it is more universal for all.

Question 9

AO3: Why does debate arise over the two paths?

Answer 9

When comparison is drawn - they should stand individually.

Question 10

AO3: Why can their goals not be compared?

Answer 10

The Bodhisattva path aims to return to the world of samsara and save other sentient beings whereas Arhats try to escape it.

Question 11

AO3: How can the two paths be compared?

Answer 11

They both ultimately want to escape suffering.

Question 12

How is Mahayana similar to Theravada?

Answer 12

Mahayana is a developed form of Theravada. Key differences include: new sutras (writings), a focus on both karuna (compassion) and prajna (wisdom), and belief that everyone has the tathagatagarbha (Buddha-nature) within.

Question 13

How did Mahayana view Theravada?

Answer 13

Mahayana Buddhism viewed Theravada as being based only on the Buddha’s teaching for his original audience. Mahayana’s teachings had prajnaparamita (perfect wisdom) – that is deeper truths available for more people.

Question 14

What is the difference between Mahayana and Theravada?

Answer 14

A major difference between Theravada and Mahayana concerns the ultimate spiritual status of a Buddhist. In Theravada, it is to be an arhat (noble/worthy one) and in Mahayana it is to be a bodhisattva (enlightened being). In Mahayana, the best-known bodhisattvas are Avalokitesvara and Manjushri.

Question 15

What are Boddhisatvas?

Answer 15

Bodhisattvas are Buddha but continue to assist sentient beings in samsara. Mahayana’s complex cosmology describes multiple universes with multiple Buddhas and bodhisattvas.

Question 16

What are the four stages of becoming an Arhat?

Answer 16

In Theravada, a bhikku following the Eightfold Path goes through four stages in their spiritual progress: (1) sotapanna (stream-enterer), (2) sakadagami (once-returner), (3) anagama (non-returner) and (4) arhat.

Question 17

What does each stage of becoming an Arhat mark?

Answer 17

Each stage is marked by the bhikku becoming increasingly free of “chains/fetters”, which limit spiritual progress such as ignorance, ill will, pride, craving, attachment to rituals.

Question 18

What happens once becoming an Arhat and how long does it take to become one?

Answer 18

Ultimately this is a solitary path and may take a number of lifetimes to complete. Once a bhikku becomes an arhat, he has attained nibbana in this life, which means that his mind is detached from his body and bodily experiences such as pain and his actions are free from karma.

Question 19

How do people achieve spiritual progress in Mahayana?

Answer 19

In Mahayana, a person already has tathagatagarbha, but to begin their spiritual progress they need to awaken their bodhicitta (Buddha consciousness) through reflection on things such as Buddhas, dukkha, material existence, etc.

Question 20

What are the 6 perfections?

Answer 20

In becoming a bodhisattva, a person will demonstrate that they have paramitas (perfections). Six of these are generally noted in Mahayana: (1) dana (generosity), (2) sila (morality), (3) kshanti (patience), (4) virya (energy), (5) dhyana (meditation), (6) prajna (wisdom).

Question 21

What happens alongside the paramitas?

Answer 21

At the same time as developing the paramitas a person goes through 10 bhumis (stages/ foundations) of spiritual development. With each stage, prajna grows alongside karuna with the focus on bringing all sentient beings to Awakening/enlightenment.

Question 22

What happens at the 6th bhumi?

Answer 22

At the 6th bhumi, whilst the person can achieve nibbana, they decide to remain in the world to assist sentient beings.

Question 23

What happens at the 10th bhumi?

Answer 23

The 10th bhumi is when jnana (knowledge) is complete and when the person, having received rays of light from innumerable Buddhas, arises from their meditation as a Buddha.